Mustangs' senior scores 21 points in loss at Downers Grove South

On a play in the second quarter at Downers Grove South, Jordan faked a defender at the 3-point arc, drove and threw down an emphatic tomahawk dunk.

"I got him with the jab step," Jordan said, "and went past him."

[David Toney - For Shaw Media]

Jordan's high-flying heroics couldn't prevent Morton from dropping the 58-46 West Suburban Gold matchup, but he did showcase his expanded game.

Jordan scored 21 points, shot 9-for-15 from the floor, grabbed seven rebounds and had three dunks. He could have had a much bigger night, too. Free throws are Jordan's biggest Achilles heel. He made just 3 of 11 Saturday.

"Steph has improved so much. I love the kid," Morton coach Tony Martinucci said. "He's been our best player the last two months. Imagine if he made his free throws. He's be averaging 30 [points] a game."

[David Toney - For Shaw Media]

As it is, Jordan is at a tick over 16 points per game, 6.5 or so rebounds. He's a modest 6-foot-2, a guard in the basketball lexicon, but now has the power to finish at the rim.

He did so against Downers South, whether through offensive rebounds or hard drives to the rim.
"His upper body is stronger, and he can finish around the hoop," Martinucci said. "He was always explosive, always quick, could always jump. Now he's physically stronger up top."

Downers South threw a zone defense at Morton, a not altogether unfamiliar sight as teams try to slow down Mustangs' guards like Latik Murphy, Vinny Belcaster and Jordan.

[David Toney - For Shaw Media]

It proved kryptonite to Morton Saturday.

The Mustangs shot just 2-for-20 from 3-point range, and dug an early 17-4 hole they never really could get out of. Murphy, who scored 10 points, missed his first six shots. Belcaster scored eight points, but shot just 1-for-4.

Only Jordan, it seems, had the answer for it.

Sitting in the middle of the zone, Jordan frequently took a pass and went hard to the basket.
"That's how we set up our zone offense, tell me to go up and finish at the basket. That's what I do," Jordan said. "Get up high, and concentrate on the basket."

[David Toney - For Shaw Media]

Martinucci also noted that Jordan is a much smarter player, and has improved his ballhandling. It was on display Saturday when he weaved coast-to-coast through traffic for a layup.

"He could never do that last year," Martinucci said.

Jordan's rise reminds Martinucci of ex-Morton star Thaddeus Johnson, the 2015-2016 Suburban Life Player of the Year.

"He got a stronger upper body, took it upon himself. Late in games he was taking the shots," Martinucci said. "Steph was our only offensive threat today and they still couldn't stop him. He's really playing well."

[David Toney - For Shaw Media]

Morton (11-12, 5-4), despite dropping its third straight game, has played well this year too. The Mustangs were tied for the Gold lead as recent as two weeks ago. Jordan, memorably, hit a 3-pointer as time expired to knock off Willowbrook in January.

"We're doing way better than last year," Jordan said. "Everybody is playing hard, having fun. Even though we lost this game it was still a good game. We trust each other.